Antibacterial cyclopenta[c]pyrrole substituted 3,4-dihydro-1H-[1,8]naphthyridinones

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to novel compounds of formula (I) that inhibit the activity of the FabI enzyme which are therefore useful in the treatment of bacterial infections. It further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and chemical processes for preparing these compounds.

This application is a national stage of PCT applicationPCT/EP2012/065733, filed Aug. 10, 2012, which claims priority toapplication EP 11177119.2, filed Aug. 10, 2011.

The present invention is related to novel compounds of formula (I) thatinhibit the activity of the FabI enzyme which are therefore useful inthe treatment of bacterial infections. It further relates topharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and chemicalprocesses for preparing these compounds.

The compounds of the present invention are antibacterial compounds thatinhibit the FabI protein, a NADH-dependent enoyl-acyl carrier protein(ACP) reductase enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. Fattyacid synthase (FAS) is involved in the overall biosynthetic pathway ofsaturated fatty acids in all organisms, but the structural organizationof FAS varies considerably among them. The distinctive characteristicsof FAS of vertebrates and yeasts are that all enzymatic activities areencoded on one or two polypeptide chains, and that the acyl carrierprotein (ACP) exists in the form of a complex. In contrast, in bacterialFAS, each of synthetic steps is catalyzed by a distinct, mono-functionalenzyme and the ACP is a discrete protein. Therefore, it is possible toselectively inhibit bacterial FAS by blocking one of the synthetic stepsusing an inhibitory agent. NADH-dependent enoyl-ACP reductase (Fab I) isinvolved in the last step of the four reaction steps involved in eachcycle of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis. Thus, the FabI enzyme is thebiosynthetic enzyme in the overall synthetic pathway of bacterial fattyacid biosynthesis.

The FabI enzyme has been shown to constitute an essential target inmajor pathogens such as E. Coli (Heath et al. J. Biol. Chem. 1995, 270,26538; Bergler et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 2000, 275, 4654). Hence,compounds that inhibit FabI may be useful as antibacterials.

Compounds having FabI enzyme inhibitory activity have been disclosed inWO-01/26652, WO-01/26654, and WO-01/27103. Substituted naphthyridinonecompounds having FabI inhibitory activity have been disclosed inWO-03/088897, WO-2007/043835 and WO-2008/098374. International patentapplication WO 2007/053131 discloses various compounds for potential useas FabI inhibitors. International patent application WO 2011/061214 alsodiscloses various compounds for potential use as FabI inhibitors.However, none of these documents disclose a fused-bicyclic moiety thatis directly attached to a carbonyl moiety that is a to an alkene.

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I)

wherein

-   A represents —C≡C— or

-   the    bond represents a single bond or a double bond,-   X represents carbon or nitrogen, and when X represents nitrogen then    the    bond represents a single bond;-   Z₁ represents CH or N;-   R¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or halo;-   R² is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or halo;-   R³ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy or halo;-   R⁴ is hydrogen; halo; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl; mono- or    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)-aminocarbonyl; aryl; aryloxy; arylcarbonyl;    arylsulfonyl; heteroaryl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with cyano;    C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl or aryloxy; or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted    with heteroaryl;-   aryl is phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or three    substituents each individually selected from halo, hydroxy,    C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    cyano, nitro, and amino;-   heteroaryl is furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,    isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isothiazolyl,    thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl,    pyrazinyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl,    indolyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indolyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, or    quinolinyl,    wherein each heteroaryl may be substituted with one or two    substituents each independently selected from halo, cyano,    C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or phenyl;    or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

As used in the foregoing definitions:

-   -   halo is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo;    -   C₁₋₄alkyl defines straight and branched chain saturated        hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as,        for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 1-methyl-ethyl,        2-methylpropyl and the like;    -   C₁₋₆alkyl is meant to include C₁₋₄alkyl and the higher        homologues thereof having or 6 carbon atoms, such as, for        example, 2-methylbutyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like;    -   polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl is defined as polyhalo substituted C₁₋₄alkyl        (as hereinabove defined) substituted with 2 to 6 halogen atoms        such as difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, and the        like.

As used in the description, whenever the term “compound of formula (I)”is used, it is meant to include also the pharmaceutically addition saltsthe compounds of formula (I) are able to form and the solvates thecompounds of formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salts of compounds of formula (I) are able to form.

The definition of “compounds of formula (I)” inherently includes allstereoisomers of the compound of formula (I) either as a purestereoisomer or as a mixture of two or more stereoisomers. Enantiomersare stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of eachother. A 1:1 mixture of a pair of enantiomers is a racemate or racemicmixture. Diastereomers (or diastereoisomers) are stereoisomers that arenot enantiomers, i.e. they are not related as mirror images. If acompound contains a disubstituted cycloalkyl group, the substituents maybe in the cis or trans configuration. Therefore, the invention includesenantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, cis isomers, trans isomers andmixtures thereof.

The absolute configuration is specified according to theCahn-Ingold-Prelog system. The configuration at an asymmetric atom isspecified by either R or S. Resolved compounds whose absoluteconfiguration is not known can be designated by (+) or (−) depending onthe direction in which they rotate plane polarized light. When aspecific stereoisomer is identified, this means that said stereoisomeris substantially free, i.e. associated with less than 50%, preferablyless than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, even more preferably lessthan 5%, in particular less than 2% and most preferably less than 1%, ofthe other isomers. Thus, when a compound of formula (I) is for instancespecified as (R), this means that the compound is substantially free ofthe (S) isomer; when a compound of formula (I) is for instance specifiedas E, this means that the compound is substantially free of the Zisomer; when a compound of formula (I) is for instance specified as cis,this means that the compound is substantially free of the trans isomer.

The terms “stereoisomers” or “stereochemically isomeric forms”hereinbefore or hereinafter are used interchangeably.

The absolute stereochemical configuration of the compounds of formula(I) and of the intermediates used in their preparation may easily bedetermined by those skilled in the art while using well-known methodssuch as, for example, X-ray diffraction.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) may also exist in their tautomericform. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formulaare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, some compounds of formula (I) and some of the intermediatesused in their preparation may exhibit polymorphism. It is to beunderstood that the present invention encompasses any polymorphic formspossessing properties useful in the treatment of the conditions notedhereinabove.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts as mentionedhereinabove are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxicacid addition salt forms that the compounds of formula (I) are able toform. These pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts canconveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriateacid. Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such ashydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric,nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, forexample, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic (i.e.ethanedioic), malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic,fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic,benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic,p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like acids.

Conversely said salt forms can be converted by treatment with anappropriate base into the free base form.

The compounds of formula (I) may exist in both unsolvated and solvatedforms. The term ‘solvate’ is used herein to describe a molecularassociation comprising a compound of the invention and one or morepharmaceutically acceptable solvent molecules, e.g. water or ethanol.The term ‘hydrate’ is used when said solvent is water.

The term “FabI” is art-recognized and refers to the bacterial enzymebelieved to function as an enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase inthe final step of the four reactions involved in each cycle of bacterialfatty acid biosynthesis. This enzyme is believed to be widelydistributed in bacteria.

Compounds of formula (I) that may be mentioned include those in which:

-   -   (i) Z₁ represents CH, and hence the compound of formula I        represents the following:

wherein

-   -   (ii) when R¹ or R² represent halo, then they are preferably F or        Cl;    -   (iii) R¹ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; and/or    -   (iv) R² represents hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) include those in which A represents adouble bond (and not a triple bond), i.e. it is preferred that:

A represents

Interesting compounds of formula (I) are those compounds of formula (I)wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   a) R¹ and R² represent hydrogen; or-   b) R³ represents hydrogen; or-   c) R³ represents hydrogen, halo or hydroxy; or-   d) R⁴ represents hydrogen or halo; or-   e) R⁴ represents aryl; or-   f) R⁴ represents C₁₋₆alkyl; or-   g) R⁴ represents aryloxy, or arylsulfonyl; or-   h) R⁴ represents C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl; or-   i) R⁴ represents heteroaryl; or-   j) R⁴ represents C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with heteroaryl; or-   k) heteroaryl represents furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl,    thiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, or    pyrimidinyl; or-   l) X represents carbon; or-   m) X represents nitrogen and the    bond represents a single bond.

A first group of compounds are the compounds of formula (I)

wherein

-   A represents —C≡C— or

-   the    bond represents a single bond or a double bond,-   X represents carbon or nitrogen, and when X represents nitrogen then    the    bond represents a single bond;-   R¹ is hydrogen;-   R² is hydrogen;-   R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy or halo;-   R⁴ is hydrogen; halo; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl;    aminocarbonyl; mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)-aminocarbonyl; aryl; aryloxy;    arylsulfonyl; heteroaryl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with cyano;    C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl; or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with    heteroaryl;-   aryl is phenyl; phenyl substituted with one substituent selected    from halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, and cyano;-   heteroaryl is furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,    triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, or pyrimidinyl;    wherein each heteroaryl may be substituted with one substituent    selected from halo, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, or    C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl;    or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

A second group of compounds of formula (I) are those compounds offormula (I) wherein A represents —C≡C—.

A third group of compounds of formula (I) are those compounds of formula(I) wherein A represents

Compounds of formula (I) that are preferred include those in which theX-containing ring represents one of the following:

i.e. bicycles containing a cis-relationship at the ring junction (atrans-relationship would cause ring tension), which may be racemic orsingle enantiomers. As explained hereinafter, if for single enantiomersthe absolute stereochemistry is/was not known, the chiral carbons at thering junction may be depicted by bold or hashed lines (rather than aswedges).

More preferred compounds of formula (I) include those in which the fusedbicyclic X-containing ring represents one of the following:

wherein in the above-mentioned fused bicycles, the compounds may beracemic or single enantiomers (if there is no relevant symmetry, andenantiomers are possible), as depicted hereinbefore.

In compounds of formula (I), it is preferred that:

-   -   (i) There is at least one R³ or R⁴ substituent present that does        not represent hydrogen;    -   (ii) One of R³ and R⁴ (e.g. R³) represent hydrogen, hydroxy or        halo (e.g. fluoro) and the other one of R³ and R⁴ (e.g. R⁴)        represents a substituent other than hydrogen;    -   (iii) R³ represents hydrogen, hydroxy or halo (e.g. fluoro) and        most preferably represents hydrogen (i.e. R³ is essentially not        present);    -   (iv) R⁴ represents a substituent other than hydrogen (i.e. there        is an R⁴ substituent that is present, and does not represent        hydrogen);    -   (v) R⁴ represents a substituent other than hydrogen, which is        attached to X,        in which any of the above can be taken together or in        combination. For instance, (iii), (iv) and/or (v) may be taken        in combination to provide the particularly preferred compounds        of formula (I) below:

in which R⁴ represents a substituent other than hydrogen. Particularlypreferred substituents that R⁴ (here and elsewhere) may representinclude:

-   -   (i) optionally substituted aryl;    -   (ii) optionally substituted heteroaryl    -   (iii) C₁₋₆alkyl substituted by aryl or heteroaryl (which latter        two aryl and heteroaryl groups are themselves optionally        substituted as defined herein);    -   (iv) aryloxy (in which the aryl moiety is optionally substituted        as defined herein);    -   (v) arylsulfonyl (in which the aryl moiety is optionally        substituted as defined herein);    -   (vi) C₁₋₆alkyl, which is unsubstituted (e.g. ethyl, methyl,        isopropyl);    -   (vii) di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonyl (e.g. —C(O)N(CH₃)₂);    -   (viii) aminocarbonyl (—C(O)NH₂);    -   (ix) C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl (e.g. —C(O)O—CH₂CH₃);    -   (x) halo (e.g. fluoro);    -   (xi) C₂₋₆alkynyl (e.g. —C≡C—);    -   (xii) C₁₋₆alkoxy (e.g. —OCH₃).        It is particularly preferred that the R⁴ group contains an        aromatic moiety, and hence (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above        are particularly preferred).

In the case when R⁴ represents (i) above, then the aryl group ispreferably phenyl, which group may be unsubstituted or substituted byone or two (e.g. one) substituent selected from C₁₋₄alkyloxy, halo,C₁₋₄alkyl or cyano (e.g. —OCH₃, chloro, fluoro, methyl or cyano).

In the case where R⁴ represents (ii) above, then the heteroaryl group isa monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring containing one to four heteroatoms,for instance thienyl (e.g. 2- or 3-thienyl), pyridyl (e.g. 4-pyridyl or3-pyridyl), pyrazolyl (e.g. 5-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl or 1-pyrazolyl),furanyl (e.g. 2- or 3-furanyl), thiazolyl (e.g. 2-thiazolyl), isoxazolyl(e.g. 4-isoxazolyl), pyrrolyl (e.g. 1-pyrrolyl), triazolyl (e.g.1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-2-yl or 1,2,4-triazol-2-yl),thiadiazolyl (e.g. 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl), pyrimidinyl (e.g.5-pyrimidinyl), tetrazolyl (e.g. 1,2,3,4-tetrazol-2-yl,1,2,3,4-tetrazol-1-yl), imidazolyl (e.g. 2-imidazolyl). Such heteroarylgroups may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or two (e.g. two or,preferably, one) substituent(s) selected from halo, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl(e.g. C₁₋₂alkyl), C₁₋₄alkyloxy (e.g. C₁₋₂alkyloxy) and C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl(e.g. C₁₋₂alkylcarbonyl), e.g. —OCH₃, methyl, halo (e.g. chloro), cyano,and —C(O)—CH₃.

In the case where R⁴ represents (iii) above, then preferably theC₁₋₆alkyl group is methyl, i.e. —CH₃ substituted with aryl (e.g. phenyl,such as unsubstituted phenyl) or heteroaryl (e.g. a 5- or 6-memberedmonocyclic heteroaryl group containing one or two (e.g. one)heteroatom(s), so forming e.g. a thienyl group such as a 2-thienylgroup; and such a heteroaryl group is preferably unsubstituted).

In the case where R⁴ represents (iv) or (v) above, aryl is preferablyunsubstituted phenyl, and hence the R⁴ group is —O-phenyl or—S(O)₂-phenyl.

Most preferably, the R⁴ group represents (i) or (ii) above, i.e. aryl orheteroaryl. Even more preferably the R⁴ group represents (i) above,especially unsubstituted phenyl.

The most preferred compounds of formula (I) include those in which theX-containing fused bicyclic moiety represents:

in which R⁴ is as defined herein. Such compounds which contain either aN(R⁴) moiety or a C(R⁴) moiety adjacent a double bond may be beneficial.This is because the shape of the nitrogen atom (e.g. being more planarin nature, as compared to a CR⁴ moiety that is not adjacent a doublebond) or the presence of the double bond in the X-containing ring mayhelp to orient the R⁴ group (if present) such that the compound overall(e.g. in view of the R⁴ substituent's orientation) displaysbetter/improved binding properties to the FabI bacterial enzyme. Hence,these compounds of the invention may be advantageous in the sense thatthe presence of the double bond may lead to improved bindingto/inhibition of the FabI enzyme. Consequently the compounds of theinvention may be advantageous compounds (e.g. compared to knowncompounds) by virtue of these properties which may consequentially leadto better potency, efficacy, etc.

Compounds of formula (I) can generally be prepared by reacting anintermediate of formula (II) with an intermediate of formula (III), inat least one reaction-inert solvent and optionally in the presence of atleast one suitable coupling reagent and/or a suitable base, the saidprocess further optionally comprising converting a compound of formula(I) into an addition salt thereof, and/or preparing stereochemicallyisomeric forms thereof.

It may be convenient to activate the carboxylic acid of formula (III) byadding an effective amount of a reaction promoter. Non-limiting examplesof such reaction promoters include carbonyldiimidazole,N,N′-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide or1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, hydroxybenzotriazole,benzotriazolyl-oxytris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate,tetrapyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate,bromotripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluoro-phosphate, or a functionalderivative thereof.

Compounds of formula (I) can also be prepared by reacting anintermediate of formula (II) with an intermediate of formula (IV),wherein Y represents hydroxy or halo. The reaction can be performed in areaction-inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane ordimethylformamide and optionally in the presence of a suitable base suchas, for example, diisopropylethyl-amine (DIPEA).

Compounds of formula (I) in which A represents —C(R²)═C(R¹)— can also beprepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with an intermediateof formula (VI),

wherein X_(a1) represents a suitable leaving group such as a suitablehalo group (e.g. chloro, iodo and, especially, bromo) and the otherintegers are as hereinbefore defined, under reaction suitable reactionconditions, for example under metal catalyst coupling reactionconditions (e.g. precious metal coupling reaction conditions, whereinthe precious metal is e.g. palladium-based), in particular under Heckreaction conditions using preferably a palladium-based catalyst such aspalladium acetate, tetrakis(triphenylphosphione)palladium(0),bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II)dichloride,[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II)dichloride or thelike (preferably, the catalyst is palladium acetate), for instanceoptionally in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. acetonitrile orthe like), base (e.g. an amine base such as N,N-diispropylamine or thelike), and a ligand (e.g. triphenylphosphine, tri-O-tolylphosphine orthe like). The reaction may be performed in a sealed tube and/or in amicrowave.

The starting materials and some of the intermediates are known compoundsand are commercially available or may be prepared according toconventional reaction procedures generally known in the art.

For the compounds in which Z₁ represents CH, intermediates (IV) and (VI)may be prepared as described herein, or according to conventionalreaction procedures generally known in the art. For the correspondingintermediates in which Z₁ represents N, this may also be the case.However, such compounds may also be prepared in accordance with thefollowing scheme:

Conditions:

a) NBS, ACN, reflux, 3 h, 70%; b) LiAlH₄ 1M in THF, THF, 5° C. to RT,o.n., 20%; c) PBr₃, DCM, RT, o.n., 90%; f) dimethyl malonate, NaOMe inMeOH, MeOH, RT, o.n., 25%; g) NaOH, MeOH, reflux, 4 h, HCl, reflux,o.n.; h) DIEA, Pd(OAc)₂, tri-O-tolylphosphine, ACN, DMF, μw, 180° C., 25min.

The compounds of formula (I) as prepared in the hereinabove describedprocesses may be synthesized in the form of racemic mixtures ofenantiomers which can be separated from one another following art-knownresolution procedures. Those compounds of formula (I) that are obtainedin racemic form may be converted into the corresponding diastereomericsalt forms by reaction with a suitable chiral acid. Said diastereomericsalt forms are subsequently separated, for example, by selective orfractional crystallization and the enantiomers are liberated therefromby alkali. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms ofthe compounds of formula (I) involves liquid chromatography using achiral stationary phase. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms mayalso be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomericforms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reactionoccurs stereospecifically. Preferably if a specific stereoisomer isdesired, said compound will be synthesized by stereospecific methods ofpreparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomericallypure starting materials.

The compounds described herein are inhibitors of the FabI enzyme, asdemonstrated by the examples below (including in Pharmacological Example1). In view of these FabI enzyme inhibiting properties the compoundsdescribed herein are useful for treating bacterial infections. Forinstance, these compounds are useful for the treatment of bacterialinfections, such as, for example, infections of upper respiratory tract(e.g. otitis media, bacterial tracheitis, acute epiglottitis,thyroiditis), lower respiratory (e.g. empyema, lung abscess), cardiac(e.g. infective endocarditis), gastrointestinal (e.g. secretorydiarrhoea, splenic abscess, retroperitoneal abscess), CNS (e.g. cerebralabscess), eye (e.g. blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis,endophthalmitis, preseptal and orbital cellulitis, darcryocystitis),kidney and urinary tract (e.g. epididymitis, intrarenal and perinephricabscess, toxic shock syndrome), skin (e.g. impetigo, folliculitis,cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis, wound infection, bacterial myositis),and bone and joint (e.g. septic arthritis, osteomyelitis). Additionally,the compounds may be useful in combination with known antibiotics.

Therefore the present invention also relates to compounds of formula (I)for use as a medicine especially for use in treating bacterialinfections, in particular bacterial infections caused by a bacteriumthat expresses a FabI enzyme. Subsequently the present compounds may beused for the manufacture of a medicine for treatment of bacterialinfections, in particular bacterial infections caused by a bacteriumthat expresses a FabI enzyme.

Further, the present invention provides a method of treating bacterialinfections which comprises administering to a subject in need thereof aFabI enzyme inhibiting compound of formula (I).

A subject in need of treatment has a bacterial infection or has beenexposed to an infectious bacterium, the symptoms of which may bealleviated by administering a therapeutically effective amount of thecompounds of the present invention. For example, a subject in need oftreatment can have an infection for which the compounds of formula (I)can be administered as a treatment. In another example, a subject inneed of treatment can have an open wound or burn injury, for which thecompounds of formula (I) can be administered as a prophylactic.Typically a subject will be treated for an existing bacterial infection.

A subject can have a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis,Citrobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Haemophilusinfluenza, Listeria monocytogenes, Moraxella catarrhalis, Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, Neisseria meningitidis, Proteus mirabilis, Proteusvulgaris, Salmonella sp., Serratia sp., Shigella sp., Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus, or Staphylococcus epidermidis.Preferably, the subject is treated (prophylactically or therapeutically)for a bacterial infection caused by a bacterium that expresses a FabIenzyme.

The term “treating” and “treatment’, as used herein, refers to curative,palliative and prophylactic treatment, including reversing, alleviating,inhibiting the progress of, or preventing the disease, disorder orcondition to which such term applies, or one or more symptoms of suchdisease, disorder or condition.

A “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound of the presentinvention is the quantity which, when administered to a subject in needof treatment, improves the prognosis of the subject, e.g. delays theonset of and/or reduces the severity of one or more of the subject'ssymptoms associated with a bacterial infection. The amount of thedisclosed compound to be administered to a subject will depend on theparticular disease, the mode of administration, and the characteristicsof the subject, such as general health, other diseases, age, sex,genotype, body weight and tolerance to drugs. The skilled person will beable to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and otherfactors.

The compounds may be tested in one of several biological assays todetermine the concentration of compound which is required to have agiven pharmacological effect.

Additionally the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

In order to prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention,an effective amount of the particular compound, in base or acid additionsalt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixturewith at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier maytake a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparationdesired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions aredesirably in unitary dosage form suitable, preferably, for oraladministration, rectal administration, percutaneous administration orparenteral injection.

For example in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any ofthe usual liquid pharmaceutical carriers may be employed, such as forinstance water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oralliquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs and solutions;or solid pharmaceutical carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin,lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case ofpowders, pills, capsules and tablets. Because of their easyadministration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageousoral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers areobviously employed. For parenteral injection compositions, thepharmaceutical carrier will mainly comprise sterile water, althoughother ingredients may be included in order to improve solubility of theactive ingredient. Injectable solutions may be prepared for instance byusing a pharmaceutical carrier comprising a saline solution, a glucosesolution or a mixture of both. Injectable suspensions may also beprepared by using appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and thelike. In compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, thepharmaceutical carrier may optionally comprise a penetration enhancingagent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionally combined with minorproportions of suitable additives which do not cause a significantdeleterious effect to the skin. Said additives may be selected in orderto facilitate administration of the active ingredient to the skin and/orbe helpful for preparing the desired compositions. These topicalcompositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermalpatch, a spot-on or an ointment. Addition salts of the compounds offormula (I), due to their increased water solubility over thecorresponding base form, are obviously more suitable in the preparationof aqueous compositions.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention in dosage unit form for ease ofadministration and uniformity of dosage. “Dosage unit form” as usedherein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages,each unit containing a predetermined amount of active ingredientcalculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association withthe required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such dosage unit formsare tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills,powder packets, wafers, injectable solutions or suspensions,teaspoonfuls, tablespoonfuls and the like, and segregated multiplesthereof.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention may take the form of solid dose forms, for example, tablets(both swallowable and chewable forms), capsules or gelcaps, prepared byconventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients andcarriers such as binding agents (e.g. pregelatinised maize starch,polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and the like),fillers (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium phosphate andthe like), lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate, talc, silica and thelike), disintegrating agents (e.g. potato starch, sodium starchglycollate and the like), wetting agents (e.g. sodium laurylsulphate)and the like. Such tablets may also be coated by methods well known inthe art.

Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of e.g.solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be formulated as a dryproduct for admixture with water and/or another suitable liquid carrierbefore use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventionalmeans, optionally with other pharmaceutically acceptable additives suchas suspending agents (e.g. sorbitol syrup, methylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or hydrogenated edible fats), emulsifyingagents (e.g. lecithin or acacia), non-aqueous carriers (e.g. almond oil,oily esters or ethyl alcohol), sweeteners, flavours, masking agents andpreservatives (e.g. methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid).

Pharmaceutically acceptable sweeteners useful in the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention comprise preferably at least one intensesweetener such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sodium cyclamate,alitame, a dihydrochalcone sweetener, monellin, stevioside sucralose(4,1′,6′-trichloro-4,1′,6′-trideoxygalactosucrose) or, preferably,saccharin, sodium or calcium saccharin, and optionally at least one bulksweetener such as sorbitol, mannitol, fructose, sucrose, maltose,isomalt, glucose, hydrogenated glucose syrup, xylitol, caramel or honey.Intense sweeteners are conveniently used in low concentrations. Forexample, in the case of sodium saccharin, the said concentration mayrange from about 0.04% to 0.1% (weight/volume) of the final formulation.The bulk sweetener can effectively be used in larger concentrationsranging from about 10% to about 35%, preferably from about 10% to 15%(weight/volume).

The pharmaceutically acceptable flavours which can mask the bittertasting ingredients in the low-dosage formulations are preferably fruitflavours such as cherry, raspberry, black currant or strawberry flavour.A combination of two flavours may yield very good results. In thehigh-dosage formulations, stronger pharmaceutically acceptable flavoursmay be required such as Caramel Chocolate, Mint Cool, Fantasy and thelike. Each flavour may be present in the final composition in aconcentration ranging from about 0.05% to 1% (weight/volume).Combinations of said strong flavours are advantageously used. Preferablya flavour is used that does not undergo any change or loss of tasteand/or color under the circumstances of the formulation.

The compounds of formula (I) may be formulated for parenteraladministration by injection, conveniently intravenous, intra-muscular orsubcutaneous injection, for example by bolus injection or continuousintravenous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented inunit dosage form, e.g. in ampoules or multi-dose containers, includingan added preservative. They may take such forms as suspensions,solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may containformulating agents such as isotonizing, suspending, stabilizing and/ordispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be presentin powder form for mixing with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterilepyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be formulated in rectalcompositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g. containingconventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and/or otherglycerides.

Those of skill in the treatment of antibacterial diseases linked to theinhibition of the FabI enzyme will easily determine the therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of formula (I) from the test resultspresented hereinafter. In general it is contemplated that atherapeutically effective dose will be from about 0.001 mg/kg to about50 mg/kg of body weight, more preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about10 mg/kg of body weight of the patient to be treated. It may beappropriate to administer the therapeutically effective dose in the formof two or more sub-doses at appropriate intervals throughout the day.Said sub-doses may be formulated as unit dosage forms, for example eachcontaining from about 0.1 mg to about 1000 mg, more particularly fromabout 1 to about 500 mg, of the active ingredient per unit dosage form.

The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on theparticular compound of formula (I) used, the particular condition beingtreated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weightand general physical condition of the particular patient as well as theother medication, the patient may be taking, as is well known to thoseskilled in the art. Furthermore, said “therapeutically effective amount”may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treatedpatient and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribingthe compounds of the instant invention. The effective daily amountranges mentioned hereinabove are therefore only guidelines.

Compounds of formula (I) may have the advantage that they may be moreefficacious than, be less toxic than, be longer acting than, be morepotent than, produce fewer side effects than, be more easily absorbedthan, and/or have a better pharmacokinetic profile (e.g. higher oralbioavailability and/or lower clearance) than, and/or have other usefulpharmacological, physical, or chemical properties over, compounds knownin the prior art, whether for use in the above-stated indications orotherwise. The compounds may also exhibit such advantages in view of thepresence of the NR⁴ moiety or CR⁴ moiety that is adjacent a double bondin the X-containing ring.

For instance, compounds of formula (I) may have the advantage that theyhave a good or an improved thermodynamic solubility (e.g. compared tocompounds known in the prior art; and for instance as determined by aknown method and/or a method described herein). Compounds of formula (I)may also have the advantage that they have a broad spectrum of activityagainst antibacterials (e.g. a broader spectrum of antibacterialactivity compared to compounds known in the prior art; and for instanceas determined by known tests and/or tests described herein). Compoundsof formula (I) may also have the advantage that they have good orimproved in vivo pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailabilty. They may alsohave the advantage that they have good or improved in vivo efficacy. Forinstance, the compounds of the invention may adaptable for intravenousformulation/dosing and hence may exhibit an improved in vivo efficacywhen administered intravenously. The compounds may also exhibit suchadvantages in view of the presence of the NR⁴ moiety or CR⁴ moiety thatis adjacent a double bond in the X-containing ring.

EXPERIMENTAL PART

Abbreviations

“DMF” is defined as N,N-dimethylformamide, “DCM” or “CH₂Cl₂” is definedas dichloromethane, “MeOH” is defined as methanol, “EtOH” is defined asethanol, “MgSO₄” is defined as magnesium sulfate, and “THF” is definedas tetrahydrofuran, “AcOEt” or “EtOAc” is defined as ethyl acetate,“DIPEA” is defined as diisopropylethylamine, “EDCI” is defined asN-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propane-diaminemonohydrochloride, “HOBT” is defined as 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole,“DIPA” is defined as diisopropylamine, “K₂CO₃” is defined as potassiumcarbonate, “TFA” is defined as trifluoroacetic acid, “NH₄OH” is definedas ammonium hydroxide, “NaHCO₃” is defined as carbonic acid monosodiumsalt, “Et₂O” is defined as diethyl ether, “Na₂SO₄” is defined assulfuric acid disodium salt, “CH₃CN” is defined as acetonitrile, “NaOH”is defined as sodium hydroxide, “n-BuLi” is defined as n-Butyllithium,“i-PrOH” is defined as isopropanol, “Pd(OAc)₂” is defined as palladiumacetate, “DMA” is defined as dimethylacetamide, “Et₃N” is defined astriethylamine.

Stereochemical Representation

The compounds of formula (I) have at least two asymmetric carbon atomsas illustrated below wherein the asymmetric carbon atoms are identifiedby a *:

Due to ring tension in the system of two annulated five membered rings,only the ‘cis’ forms can be prepared and not the ‘trans’ forms.

Compounds of formula (I) wherein the system of two annulated fivemembered rings has the ‘cis’-configuration

Each of the above depicted “cis” compounds consists of a racemic mixtureof two enantiomers and bold bonds or hashed bonds have been used toindicate this relative stereochemical configuration.

In case such a “cis” compound was separated into its two individualenantiomers, the stereochemical configuration of the single enantiomerwas than designated as R* or S* indicating a relative stereochemistry.Accordingly a single enantiomer designated as (R*,S*) can either havethe absolute (R,S) configuation or the (S,R) configuration. If theabsolute stereochemistry of a specific chiral carbon atom in a singleenantiomer was known the bold and hashed bonds were replaced by wedgedbonds to indicate the compound is a single enantiomer having a knownabsolute stereochemistry.

A. Synthesis of the Intermediates Example A.1

a) Preparation of

A solution of 6-bromo-3,4-dihydro-1H-[1,8]naphthyridin-2-one (1.0 g, 4.4mmol), tert-butyl acrylate (2.56 ml, 17.62 mmol) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.46 ml, 8.81 mmol) in acetonitrile (20 ml)and DMF (7 ml) was stirred and degassed with nitrogen gas for 10minutes. Tri-o-tolylphosphine (0.27 g, 0.88 mmol) and palladium (II)acetate (47% on Pd) (0.099 g, 0.44 mol) were added and the resultingmixture was microwaved (1600 W, 180° C., 35 minutes). The reactionmixture was evaporated till dryness, taken up in a mixture ofDCM/methanol (8/2) (50 ml), filtered through a short pad of celite andwashed with DCM. The organic layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄),filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up in coldethanol (10 ml) and stirred at 5° C. for 5 minutes, the precipitate wasfiltered off, washed with cold ethanol (3 ml) and dried under vacuum toyield 950 mg intermediate (1).

b) Preparation of

Intermediate (1) (4.1 g, 14.95 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture oftrifluoroacetic acid (23.2 ml) in DCM (41 ml). The reaction was stirredat room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting solid was trituratedwith diethyl ether, filtered off and dried under vacuum to yield 3.97 gof intermediate (2).

c) Preparation of

Intermediate (2) was triturated overnight in a mixture of HCl in dioxane(4 M, 48 ml), the solid was filtered off, washed with diethyl ether anddried under vacuum to give 3.7 g of intermediate (3).

Example A.2

a) Preparation of

A solution of allyl-prop-2-ynyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (CAS147528-20-9, 45 g, 0.23 mol), cobalt carbonyl (17.5 g, 46.1 mmol) and1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea (36.6 g, 0.277 mol) in toluene (1.8 L)was stirred and heated at 70° C. for 5 hours in an autoclave under COpressure (2-3 bar). The resulting mixture was filtered through a shortpad of celite and evaporated till dryness. The residue was taken up inDCM and filtered through a short pad of celite in order to obtain aclear solution. It was evaporated till dryness to give 85.7 g of cruderesidue. It was purified by preparative liquid chromatrography on(silicagel 20-45 μm, 1000 g, mobile phase (gradient DCM/AcOEt from 95/5to 80/20). Pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporatedto give 36.5 g of intermediate (4).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (4) (37.6 g, 0.168 mol) and palladium 10% oncharcoal (7.5 g) in ethyl acetate (750 ml) was hydrogenated at roomtemperature for 30 minutes at 3 bars in a closed vessel reactor. Theresulting mixture was filtered through a short pad of celite andevaporated till dryness to give 38.2 g of intermediate (5).

c) Preparation of

n-BuLi 1.6M in hexane (64 ml, 0.102 mol) was added drop wise at −20° C.,under a N₂ atmosphere, to a solution of diisopropylamine (14.3 ml, 0.102mol) in dry THF (140 mL) then the mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 20minutes. A solution of intermediate (5) (19.1 g, 84.8 mmol) in dry THF(190 mL) was then added at −78° C. and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 1 hour at −78° C. A solution of N-phenyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimide (36.4 g, 0.102 mol) in dry THF (110 mL) was added at −78° C.then the mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirredovernight. The mixture was evaporated till dryness. The residue wastaken in DCM, washed with an aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated till dryness to give 27.7 g of intermediate (6).

d) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (6) (9.3 g, 26.0 mmol) and phenyl boronicacid (3.81 g, 31.2 mmol) in a solution of potassium carbonate 2 M (26ml) and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (93 ml) was purged with N₂ for 10minutes then tetrakistriphenylphosphinepalladium (3.0 g, 2.6 mmol) wasadded. The closed reactor was heated at 80° C. using one multimodecavity microwave CEM Mars system with a power output ranging from 0 to400 W for 30 minutes. The resulting solution was cooled down to roomtemperature, water and EtOAc were added, the organic layer wasseparated, washed with water then brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporatedtill dryness. Purification of the residue was carried out by flashchromatography over silica gel (330 g, 15-40 μm, heptane/EtOAc from100/0 to 80/20). The pure fractions were collected and evaporated todryness to afford 4.3 g of intermediate (7).

e) Preparation of

Trifluoroacetic acid (44 ml) was added drop wise to a solution ofintermediate (7) (14.5 g, 50.8 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (44 ml). The resultingsolution was stirred at room temperature for 30 min then the mixture wascooled to 5° C. NaOH 3N was added slowly until the mixture was basic, itwas extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layer were washedwith NaOH 3N then water, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give 8.8 gof racemic compound of intermediate (8).

f) Preparation of

Intermediate (8) was purified and resolved by chiral SFC on (CHIRALPAKAD-H 5 μm 250×20 mm). Mobile phase (0.3% isopropylamine, 73% CO₂, 27%iPrOH). Pure fractions were collected and the solvent was removed togive 3.9 g of intermediate (10) (R*,S*) ([α]_(D) ²⁰=−53.19° (589 nm, c0.3365 w/v %, DMF, 20° C.)) and 4 g of intermediate (9) (S*,R*) ([α]_(D)²⁰=+38.6° (589 nm, c 0.285 w/v %, DMF, 20° C.)).

Intermediate (9)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 7.43 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (t, J=7.6Hz, 2H), 7.20-7.26 (m, 1H), 6.07 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.30-3.39 (m, 1H),2.77-2.94 (m, 4H), 2.66 (dd, J=3.0, 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.58 (dd, J=3.0, 11.1Hz, 1H), 2.46 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 1H).

Intermediate (10)

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 7.43 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (t, J=7.6Hz, 2H), 7.20-7.26 (m, 1H), 6.07 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.30-3.39 (m, 1H),2.77-2.94 (m, 4H), 2.66 (dd, J=3.0, 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.58 (dd, J=3.0, 11.1Hz, 1H), 2.46 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 1H).

Example A.3

a) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (6) (44.4 g, 111.82 mmol) and3-thiopheneboronic acid (17.17 g, 134.19 mmol) in potassium carbonate 2M(112 ml) and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (444 ml), in an open vessel,was purged with N₂ for 10 minutes thentetrakistriphenylphosphinepalladium (12.92 g, 223.65 mmol) was added.The solution was heated at 78° C. using one multimode cavity microwaveCEM MARS system with a power output ranging from 0 to 400 W for 1 hour.The solution was cooled to room temperature, water and EtOAc were added.The mixture was filtered through a pad of celite. The organic layer wasseparated, washed with water then brine, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporatedtill dryness. The residue was purified by preparative liquidchromatography on (silicagel 20-45 μm, 1000 g, mobile phase (80%heptane, 20% AcOEt)). The pure fractions were collected and concentratedto give 16 g of intermediate (11).

b) Preparation of

Trifluoroacetic acid (14.37 ml, 186.47 mmol) was added to a solution ofintermediate (11) (5.72 g, 18.65 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (57 ml). The reactionmixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. K₂CO₃ (10% aqueoussolution, 50 ml) and then K₂CO₃ solid were added at 0° C. to basify thesolution. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The residue was purified bypreparative liquid chromatography on (silicagel 20-45 μm, 1000 g, mobilephase (1% NH₄OH, 93% DCM, 7% MeOH)). The pure fractions were collectedand concentrated to give 12 g of intermediate (12).

c) Preparation of

Intermediate (12) was purified and resolved by chiral SFC on (CHIRALPAKAD-H 5 μm 250×20 mm). Mobile phase (0.3% isopropylamine, 80% CO₂, 20%methanol). Pure fractions were collected and the solvent was removed togive 5.8 g of intermediate (14) (R*,S*) ([α]_(D) ²⁰=−12.4° (589 nm, c0.5 w/v %, DCM, 20° C.)) and 5.6 g of intermediate (13) (S*,R*) ([α]_(D)²⁰=+9.43° (589 nm, c 0.35 w/v %, DCM, 20° C.)).

Intermediate (13)

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 7.49 (dd, J=2.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d,J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 5.88 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 3.28-3.33(br. s., 1H), 2.75-2.87 (m, 4H), 2.61 (dd, J=2.8, 10.7 Hz, 1H), 2.54(dd, J=3.3, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 2.40-2.15 (m, 2H).

Intermediate (14)

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 7.49 (dd, J=2.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d,J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 5.88 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 3.28-3.33(br. s., 1H), 2.75-2.87 (m, 4H), 2.61 (dd, J=2.8, 10.7 Hz, 1H), 2.54(dd, J=3.3, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 2.40-2.15 (m, 2H).

Example A.4

a) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (6) (108 g, 0.302 mol) and pyridine-4-boronicacid (49.5 g, 0.363 mol) in aqueous potassium carbonate 2M (302 ml,0.604 mol) and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (1.1 L) was purged with N₂for 5 minutes then tetrakistriphenylphosphinepalladium (34.9 g, 0.030mol) was added, the mixture was heated at 78° C. using a multimodemicrowave (CEM Mars 5) with a power output ranging from 0 to 800 W for 1hour, cooled to room temperature, water and EtOAc were added, theorganic layer was separated, washed with water then brine, dried overMgSO₄ and evaporated till dryness. The residue was purified bypreparative liquid chromatography on (silicagel 15-40 μm, 300 g, mobilephase (0.1% NH₄OH, 97% DCM, 3% iPrOH). Pure fractions were collected andthe solvent was removed to obtain 47.6 g of intermediate (15).

b) Preparation of

Intermediate (16) was purified and resolved by chromatography onChiralpak AD (20 μm, 2000 g, 110 mm) with a flow rate of 750 ml/min. Themobile phase was methanol 100%. The pure fractions were collected andevaporated to dryness to give 18.7 g of intermediate (18) (R*,S*)(([α]_(D) ²⁰=+55.75° (589 nm, c 0.339 w/v %, DMF, 20° C.)) and 20.7 g ofintermediate (17) (S*,R*) (([α]_(D) ²⁰=−68.38° (589 nm, c 0.253 w/v %,DMF, 20° C.)).

Intermediate (17)

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 8.52 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (d, J=6.0Hz, 2H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 3.36-3.61 (m, 4H), 2.81-3.02 (m, 3H), 2.61-2.53(m, 1H), 1.36 (s, 9H)

Intermediate (18))

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 8.52 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (d, J=6.0Hz, 2H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 3.36-3.61 (m, 4H), 2.81-3.02 (m, 3H), 2.61-2.53(m, 1H), 1.36 (s, 9H)

Example A.5 Preparation of

Intermediate (18) (24.8 g, 86.6 mmol) was added to HCl in dioxane (4 M,108 ml) at 5° C. then the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 90minutes. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with Et₂O and driedunder vacuum at 70° C. 21.1 g of intermediate (19).

Preparation of

Intermediate (20) was prepared analogously starting from intermediate(17).

Example A.6

a) Preparation of

Reaction done on 4 batches of 0.5 g of6-bromo-3,4-dihydro-1H-[1,8]naphthyridin-2-one each. A solution of6-bromo-3,4-dihydro-1H-[1,8]naphthyridin-2-one (0.5 g, 2.20 mmol),bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.67 g, 2.64 mmol) and potassium acetate (0.648g, 6.61 mmol) in DMF (5 ml) and CH₃CN (10 ml) was stirred and degassedwith nitrogen for 10 minutes.1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenedichloropalladium(II) (0.161 g, 0.22mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was heated at 120° C. using amicrowave (Biotage initiator 60) with a power output ranging from 0 to400 W for 40 minutes. The mixture was evaporated till dryness, theresidue was taken up in DCM and water, filtered through a short pad ofcelite. The organic layer of the filtrate was separated, washed withwater, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The residue was takenup in EtOH, filtered off and dried to give 0.36 g of intermediate (21).

b) Preparation of

Intermediate (21) (1.0 g, 3.65 mmol), tert-butyl propiolate (0.426 ml,3.04 mmol), silver(I)oxide (1.06 g, 4.56 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (0.84 g, 6.08mmol) in CH₃CN (10 ml) and DMF (5 ml) was purged with N₂ thenpalladium(II)acetate (47% Pd) (0.034 g, 0.152 mmol) was added and themixture heated at 100° C. using a monomode microwave (Biotage initiator60) with a power output ranging from 0 to 400 W for 20 minutes. Waterand EtOAc were added, the mixture was filtered through a short pad ofcelite, the organic layer was separated, washed with water then brine,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The obtained residue waspurified by flash chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, cartridge 30g, from CH₂Cl₂ to CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH: 98.5/1.5/0.1) The pure fractionswere collected and evaporated to dryness, yielding 0.037 g ofintermediate (22).

c) Preparation of

Intermediate (22) (0.053 g, 0.195 mmol) was dissolved in a solution ofTFA/DCM (0.37 ml/0.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated underreduced pressure. The resulting solid was triturated with Et₂O, filteredoff and dried under vacuum (80° C.) to give 0.032 g of intermediate(23).

Example A.7

a) Preparation of

Microwave conditions: Biotage, 90° C., 25 minutes, low after 30 secondsof pre-stirring. A solution of bromobenzene (0.228 ml, 2.64 mmol),cis-2-tert-butyloxy-carbonyl-hexahydropyrrolo[3.4]pyrrole (0.6 g, 2.82mmol) and sodium tert-butoxide (0.624 g, 6.5 mmol) in toluene (extra drywith molecular sieves) (15 ml) was stirred and degassed with nitrogenfor 10 minutes. Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (0.198 g, 0.216mmol) and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl (0.065 g, 0.216 mmol) wereadded and the resulting mixture was irradiated following the microwaveconditions above. Water and EtOAc were added, the organic layer wasseparated and then dried (MgSO₄), filtered off and concentrated. Theobtained residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel(15-40μ, 40 g, heptane/EtOAc 80/20). Pure fractions were collected andconcentrated, yielding intermediate (24).

b) Preparation of

TFA (4.54 ml, 58.95 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (24)(1.7 g, 5.9 mmol) in DCM (15 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2 hours, water and DCM were added, K₂CO₃ (10%aqueous solution) was added to basify and the organic layer wasseparated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till drynessyielding intermediate (25) as an oil.

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.7 whereby bromobenzene was replaced by 2-bromothiophene,2-bromoanisole, 2-bromo-1-methylbenzene, 2-bromo-1-chlorobenzene,3-bromopyridine, 2-bromothiazole, 4-bromo-1-chlorobenzene, or3-bromo-1-chlorobenzene respectively.

Example A.8

a) Preparation of

Reaction under N₂. n-BuLi (1.6M in hexane) (3.33 ml, 5.33 mmol) wasadded dropwise at −20° C. to a solution of DIPA (0.749 ml, 5.33 mmol) inTHF (8 ml) then the mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 20 minutes. Asolution of intermediate (4) (1.0 g, 4.44 mmol) in THF (10 ml) was thenadded at −78° C. and the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at−78° C. A solution of N-phenyltrifluoro-methanesulfonimide (1.74 g, 4.88mmol) in THF (6 ml) was added at −78° C. then the mixture was allowed toreach room temperature and was stirred overnight. The mixture wasconcentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography oversilica gel (40 g, 15-40 μm, heptane/EtOAc 70/30) The pure fractions werecollected and evaporated to dryness, yielding intermediate (34).

b) Preparation of

Reaction under nitrogen. Microwave conditions: Biotage initiator 60, 80°C., 20 minutes. A solution of intermediate (34) (0.42 g, 0.881 mmol) andthiophene-2-boronic acid (0.135 g, 1.06 mmol) in K₂CO₃ (2 M, 0.88 ml)and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (4 ml) was purged with N₂ for 10minutes then tetrakis(triphenyl-phosphine)palladium(0) (0.102 g, 0.088mmol) was added. The mixture was irradiated following the microwaveconditions above, cooled to room temperature, water and EtOAc wereadded, the organic layer was separated, washed with water then brine,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The residue was purified byflash chromatography over silica gel (10 g, 15-40 μm, heptane 100 toheptane/EtOAc 80/20). The pure fractions were collected and evaporatedto dryness, yielding intermediate (35).

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (35) (0.226 g, 0.776 mmol) in TFA (0.7 ml) andDCM (4 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour then the reactionmixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ (10% aqueous solution) and extractedwith DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding intermediate (36).

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.8b/A.8c whereby thiophene-2-boronic acid was replaced by2-methoxyphenyl-boronic acid, or formic acid respectively.

Example A.9

a) Preparation of

Microwave conditions: Biotage, 120° C., 30 minutes. A mixture ofcis-2-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-hexahydropyrrolo[3.4]pyrrole (0.027 g, 0.13mmol), 2-bromopropane (0.018 mL, 0.19 mmol) and triethylamine (0.088 ml,0.64 mol) in DMF (0.2 ml) was irradiated following the conditions above.Water and EtOAc were added, the organic layer was separated, the aqueouslayer was extracted twice with EtOAc, the combined organic phase werewashed with water and brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness,yielding intermediate (37).

b) Preparation of

TFA (0.62 ml, 8.02 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (37)(0.204 g, 0.8 mmol) in DCM (2 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 3 hours, water and DCM were added, K₂CO₃ 10% wasadded to basify, NaCl solid was added to saturate, and the organic layerwas separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated tilldryness yielding intermediate (38) as an oil.

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.9 whereby 2-bromopropane was replaced by propargyl bromide,benzenesulfonyl chloride, or 2-thienylmethyl methanesulfonaterespectively.

Example A.10

a) Preparation of

Reaction under N₂. BuLi (1.6M in hexane) (4.8 ml, 7.70 mmol) was addeddropwise at −78° C. to a solution of thiazole (0.5 ml, 7.05 mmol) inEt₂O (5 ml) then the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. A solution ofintermediate (5) (1.44 g, 6.41 mmol) in Et₂O (7 ml) was added then themixture stirred and allowed to reach room temperature for 2 hours. Waterand EtOAc were added, the organic layer was separated, washed with waterthen brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The obtainedresidue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel (50 g,15-40 μm, heptane/EtOAc 80/20 to heptane/EtOAc 50/50). The purefractions were collected and evaporated to dryness, yieldingintermediate (44).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (44) (1.05 g, 3.38 mmol) in HCl (37% in H₂O)(7 ml) in a sealed tube was heated at 140° C. using a single modemicrowave (Biotage Initiator EXP 60) with a power output ranging from 0to 400 W for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into K₂CO₃ (10%aqueous solution), the organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated till dryness, yielding 0.23 g of residue (1). The aqueouslayer was evaporated till dryness, the solid was suspended in DCM andstirred for 10 minutes. The suspension was filtered and the filtrate wasevaporated till dryness, yielding 0.29 g of residue (2). Residues (1)and (2) were combined for purification, it was carried out by flashchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 30 g, from CH₂Cl₂ toCH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH: 90/10/1). The pure fractions were collected andevaporated to dryness, yielding 0.42 g of intermediate (45).

Example A.11

a) Preparation of

Diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (1.24 ml, 10.12 mmol) was added dropwiseto a solution of intermediate (5) (0.570 g, 2.53 mmol) in DCM (6 ml)cooled in a ice bath at 5° C., the mixture was stirred 1 hour at 5° C.and then overnight at room temperature. The mixture was cooled down at0° C. and NaHCO₃ saturated was added. The organic layer was extractedwith CH₂Cl₂, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated affordingintermediate (46).

b) Preparation of

TFA (0.39 ml, 5.12 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (46)(0.146 g, 0.51 mmol) in DCM (1.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirredat room temperature for 3 hours, water and DCM were added, K₂CO₃ (10%aqueous solution) was added to basify and the organic layer wasseparated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till drynessyielding intermediate (47) as an oil.

Example A.12

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (7) (0.3 g, 1.05 mmol) and Pd/C 10% dry (0.06g) in MeOH (15 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature and atmosphericpressure for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered through a shortpad of celite, washed with DCM and the filtrate was evaporated tilldryness, yielding intermediate (48).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (48) (0.286 g, 0.995 mmol) and TFA (0.9 ml) inDCM (6 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then thereaction mixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ (10% aqueous solution) andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding intermediate (49).

Example A.13

a) Preparation of

Reaction under N₂. Microwave conditions: Biotage initiator 60, 80° C.,20 minutes. A solution of intermediate (38) (0.45 g, 1.26 mmol) and2-chlorophenylboronic acid (0.236 g, 1.51 mmol) in K₂CO₃ (2 M, 1.26 ml)and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (5 ml) was purged with N₂ for 10minutes then tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.146 g, 0.126mmol) was added. The mixture was irradiated following the conditionsabove, cooled to room temperature, water and DCM were added, the organiclayer was separated, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporatedtill dryness. The residue was purified by preparative liquidchromatography on (silicagel 5 μm, 150×30.0 mm). Mobile phase (100%DCM). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding of intermediate (50).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (50) (0.3 g, 0.938 mmol) and TFA (0.9 ml) inDCM (6 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then thereaction mixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ (10% aqueous solution) andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding intermediate (51).

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.13 whereby 2-chlorophenylboronic acid was replaced by2-methylphenylboronic acid, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic pinacolester, furan-2-boronic acid, 2-fluorophenyl-boronic acid,furan-3-boronic acid, 2-cyanophenylboronic acid,5-dimethylisoxazole-4-boronic acid, pyridine-3-boronic acid,1-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole,benzylzinc bromide, 2-chloropyridine-3-boronic acid, pyrimidyl-5-boronicacid pinacolate, 1-boc-pyrazole-4-boronic acid pinacol ester,5-methylfuran-2-boronic acid, or 4-methoxy-3-pyridinylboronic acidrespectively.

Example A.14

a) Preparation of

Intermediate (34) (2.798 mmol), palladium(II)acetate (47% Pd) (0.14mmol), K₂CO₃ (4.198 mmol), trimethylacetic acid (0.84 mmol) andtricyclohexylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate (0.196 mmol) were purged withN₂ in a sealed tube. Thiazole (4.198 mmol) and DMA (10 ml) were addedand the reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. overnight. Water andEtOAc were added, the organic layer was separated, washed with water andbrine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The obtained residuewas purified by flash chromatography over silica gel (cartridge 30 g,15-40 μm, heptane/EtOAc 80/20 to heptane/EtOAc 60/40) The pure fractionswere collected and evaporated to dryness, yielding intermediate (67).

b) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (67) (0.24 g, 0.821 mmol) in TFA (0.8 ml) andDCM (5 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then thereaction mixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ (10% aqueous solution) andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding 0.1 g ofintermediate (68).

Example A.15

a) Preparation of

Pd(OAc)₂ (1.3 mg, 0.0056 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate(34) (0.1 g, 0.28 mmol), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (4.6 mg,0.011 mmol) and potassium acetate (0.041 g, 0.42 mmol) in EtOH (0.25 ml)and THF (2 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred under5 bars of carbon monoxyde at 100° C. for 18 hours in a stainless steelautoclave, yielding intermediate (69).

b) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (69) (0.2 g, 0.711 mmol) in HCl (4M indioxane) (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then itwas evaporated till dryness, yielding 0.13 g of intermediate (70).

Example A.16

a) Preparation of

Pd(OAc)₂ (25 mg, 0.112 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate(34) (2.0 g, 5.6 mmol), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (92 mg, 0.22mmol) and potassium acetate (0.82 g, 8.4 mmol) in EtOH (5 ml) and THF(40 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere then the mixture was stirred under 5bars of carbon monoxyde at 100° C. for 18 hours in a stainless steelautoclave. The reaction mixture was poured into water and EtOAc, theorganic layer was washed with water then brine, dried (MgSO₄), filteredand evaporated till dryness. The obtained residue was purified by flashchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 40 g, Heptane/EtOAc 90/10 toHeptane/EtOAc 70/30). The pure fractions were collected and evaporatedto dryness, yielding 0.61 g of intermediate (71).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (71) (0.3 g, 1.18 mmol), dimethylamine in THF(2 M, 1.18 ml, 2.37 mmol), EDCI (0.27 g, 1.42 mmol), HOBt (0.19 g, 6.21mmol) and triethylamine (0.25 ml, 1.78 mmol) in DCM (3 ml) and THF (3ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Water and DCM were added,the organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated tilldryness, yielding 0.37 g of intermediate (72).

c) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (72) (0.37 g, 1.32 mmol) in HCl (4M indioxane) (4 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then thereaction mixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ (10% aqueous solution) andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding intermediate (73).

Example A.17

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (71) (0.3 g, 1.18 mmol),1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.23 g, 1.42 mmol), EDCI (0.27 g, 1.42mmol), HOBt (0.19 g, 6.21 mmol) and triethylamine (0.25 ml, 1.78 mmol)in DCM (3 ml) and THF (3 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature.Water and DCM were added, the organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄)and evaporated till dryness. The obtained residue was purified by flashchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 10 g, from CH₂Cl₂ toCH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH: 94/6/0.1) The pure fractions were collected andevaporated to dryness, yielding 0.16 g of intermediate (74).

b) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (74) (0.16 g, 0.634 mmol) in HCl (4M indioxane) (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then itwas evaporated till dryness, yielding 0.1 g of intermediate (75).

Example A.18

a) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (34) (0.2 g, 0.56 mmol),bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.171 g, 0.67 mmol) and potassium acetate (0.165g, 1.68 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (2 ml) was stirred and degassed with N₂ for10 minutes. 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-dichloropalladium(II)(0.041 g, 0.056 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated at100° C. using a single mode microwave (Biotage Initiator EXP 60) with apower output ranging from 0 to 400 W for 20 minutes. Water and EtOAcwere added, the organic layer was separated, washed with water thenbrine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The obtained residuewas purified by flash chromatography over silica gel (10 g, 15-40 μm,heptane/EtOAc 85/15 to heptane/EtOAc 70/30). The pure fractions werecollected and evaporated to dryness, yielding intermediate (76).

b) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (76) (0.45 g, 1.34 mmol) and2-bromo-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (0.288 g, 1.61 mmol) in K₂CO₃ (2 M,1.34 mL, 2.69 mmol) and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (5 ml) wasstirred and degassed with N₂ for 10 minutes.Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.155 g, 0.134 mmol) was addedand the reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. using a single modemicrowave (Biotage Initiator EXP 60) with a power output ranging from 0to 400 W for 5 minutes. Water and EtOAc were added, the organic layerwas separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated tilldryness. The obtained residue was purified by flash chromatography oversilica gel (cartridge 30 g, 15-40 μm, DCM to DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH: 98/2/0.1)The pure fractions were collected and evaporated to dryness, yieldingintermediate (77).

c) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (77) (0.14 g, 0.455 mmol) in HCl (4M indioxane) (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes then thereaction mixture was poured out into K₂CO₃ 10% aqueous and extractedwith DCM. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness, yielding 81 mg of intermediate(78).

Example A.19

a) Preparation of

BuLi (1.6M in hexane) (4.2 ml, 6.66 mmol) was added dropwise to asolution of 1-methylimidazole (0.53 ml, 6.66 mmol) in THF (5 ml) undernitrogen at −78° C. then the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour at0° C. The reaction mixture was cooled down to −78° C., a solution ofintermediate (5) (1.0 g, 4.44 mmol) in THF (10 ml) was added. Themixture was stirred at −78° C. for 2 hours then allowed to reach roomtemperature and stirred overnight. Water and EtOAc were added, theorganic layer was separated, washed with water and brine, dried (MgSO₄)and evaporated till dryness. The obtained residue was purified by flashchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 30 g, from CH₂Cl₂ toCH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH: 95/5/0.1). The pure fractions were collected andevaporated to dryness, yielding 0.54 g of intermediate (79).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (79) (0.54 g, 1.76 mmol) in HCl (37% in H₂O)(5 ml) in a sealed tube was heated at 140° C. using a single modemicrowave (Biotage Initiator EXP 60) with a power output ranging from 0to 400 W for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was evaporated till dryness,yielding 0.47 g of intermediate (80).

Example A.20

a) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, petroleum ether/ethylacetate 1/1, UV/PMA). n-Butyllithium, 2.5M in hexanes (4.28 ml, 10.7mmol) was added dropwise (5 min) to a solution of diisopropylamine (1.51ml, 10.7 mmol) in THF (16 ml) at −20° C. The mixture was stirred for 15minutes at −20° C. and then cooled to −78° C. A solution of intermediate(95) (2.00 g, 8.88 mmol) in THF (20 ml) was added (5 min) at −78° C. Themixture was stirred at −78° C. for 2 hours. A solution of2-[N,N-bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amino]pyridine (3.50 g, 9.77 mmol)in THF (12.5 ml) was added (5 minutes) at −78° C. The mixture was thenallowed to warm back to room temperature and stirred for 17 hours. Themixture was heated at 50° C. for 4 hours. The mixture was quenched byaddition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (100 ml) and extractedwith ethyl acetate (3×100 ml). The combined organic layers were dried(sodium sulphate), filtered and concentrated. Dichloromethane (50 ml)was added to the obtained residue (6.07 g), then the mixture wasfiltered off, yielding 1.30 g of a white solid. The filtrate wasconcentrated and then purified by flash column chromatography oversilica gel (eluent: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 100/0 to 60/40). Theproduct fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated,yielding 1.02 g of intermediate (81).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed under argon atmosphere and monitored by TLC(petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 8/2, UV/PMA). 5-Acetyl-2-thienylboronicacid (0.057 g, 0.336 mmol) and 2M aqueous potassium carbonate (0.280 ml,0.560 mmol) were added to a solution of intermediate (81) (0.100 g,0.280 mmol) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (5 ml). The mixture was purged withargon and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (0.032 g, 0.028mmol) was added. Then, the mixture was heated at 80° C. overnight. Themixture was cooled to room temperature and then water (10 ml) and ethylacetate (10 ml) were added. The organic layer was separated washed withwater (10 ml) and with brine (10 ml), dried (sodium sulfate), filteredand evaporated until dryness under vacuum. The residue was purified bycolumn chromatography over silica gel (eluent: petroleum ether/ethylacetate 8/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 0.076 g of intermediate (82).

c) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, dichloromethane/methanol9/1, UV). Hydrogen chloride, 4M in dioxane (3.33 ml, 13.3 mmol) wasadded to a solution of intermediate (82) (0.444 g, 1.33 mmol) in dioxane(9 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 70hours and then concentrated until dryness, yielding 0.370 g ofintermediate (83).

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.20b/A.20c whereby 5-acetyl-2-thienylboronic acid was replaced by4-methylthiophene-2-boronic acid, 2-chlorothiophene-3-boronic acid,4-methyl-3-thiophene-boronic acid, 2-acetyl-3-thiopheneboronic acid,5-cyanothiophene-2-boronic acid, 5-chlorothiophene-2-boronic acid,5-methylthiophene-2-boronic acid pinacol ester,3-methylthiophene-2-boronic acid pinacol ester, or3-methoxythiophene-2-boronic acid pinacol ester respectively.

Example A.21

a) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 9/1, PMA). Methyllithium 1.6M in diethyl ether (3.29ml, 5.26 mmol) was added to a suspension of Copper(I) iodide (0.794 g,4.17 mmol) in THF (5.0 ml) at 0° C. After 1 hour, a solution ofintermediate (81) (0.355 g, 0.993 mmol) in THF (2.1 ml) was added at 0°C. by cannula, rinsing with THF (2.1 ml). The mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight. The mixture was quenched with an aqueoussaturated solution of NH₄Cl (14 ml) and evaporated to dryness. Theresidue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:pentane/ethyl acetate 95/5). The product fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.180 g of intermediate (93).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 9/1, PMA). Hydrogen chloride 4M in dioxane (2.02 ml,8.06 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (93) (0.180 g, 0.806mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (4.3 ml), the solution was stirred at roomtemperature for 65 hours and was then concentrated to dryness, yielding0.141 g of intermediate (94) (110%).

Example A.22

a) Preparation of

The hydrogenation was performed in anhydrous conditions and monitored byTLC (silica gel, petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 50/50, developer: UV/PMA.A solution of intermediate (4) (6.93 g, 31.0 mmol) in THF (180 ml) washydrogenated at room temperature (atmospheric pressure) with Palladiumon carbon, 10 wt % loading (1.65 g) as catalyst for 15 hours. Thecatalyst was filtered off on clarcel, the filter cake was rinsed withdichloromethane (50 ml) and the combined filtrates were concentratedunder reduced pressure to dryness. The obtained residue (7.26 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 80/20 to 50/50). The product fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 6.70 g ofintermediate (95).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 6/4, DCIP). Lanthanium trichloride lithium complex0.6M in THF (3.70 ml, 2.22 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate(95) (0.500 g, 2.22 mmol) in THF (15 ml). The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 1 hour, then cooled to 0° C. Ethylmagnesium bromidesolution, 1.0M in THF (2.66 ml, 2.66 mmol) was added dropwise and thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirredfor 18 hours. The mixture was quenched by addition of saturated aqueousNH₄Cl (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 ml). The combinedorganic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. Theobtained residue (0.635 g) was purified by column chromatography oversilica gel (eluent: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 9/1 to 7/3). Theproduct fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Theobtained residue (0.410 g) was purified by column chromatography oversilica gel (eluent: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 8/2). The productfractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.235g of intermediate (96).

c) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by ¹H NMR. HCl in dioxane (4 M, 2.30 ml, 9.20mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (96) (0.235 g, 0.920 mmol)in dioxane (2 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 18hours. After cooling down to room temperature, the precipitate wasfiltered off on a glass frit and washed with diethyl ether (20 ml),yielding 0.126 g of solid. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness,yielding 0.077 g of residue. The solid and residue were combined anddissolved in dioxane (2 ml). 4M HCl in dioxane (2.30 ml, 9.20 mmol) wasadded and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 24 hours, then at 100°C. for 72 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness,yielding 0.158 g of intermediate (97).

Example A.23

a) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 1/1, PMA). Sodium borohydride (0.893 g, 23.6 mmol)was added portionwise over a period of 30 minutes to a solution ofintermediate (95) (2.66 g, 11.8 mmol) in MeOH (60 ml) at 0° C. Thereaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and then concentratedto dryness. The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate (200 ml) andwashed with water (100 ml), 1M aqueous hydrochloric acid (100 ml) andbrine (100 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated, yielding 2.27 g of intermediate (98).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate 1/1, PMA). Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.930 ml, 11.9mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of intermediate (98) (2.27 g,9.98 mmol) and triethylamine (4.17 ml, 29.9 mmol) in DCM (50 ml) at 0°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour andconcentrated to dryness. The residue was diluted in ethyl acetate (200ml) and washed with water (100 ml), brine (100 ml), 1M aqueoushydrochloric acid (100 ml) and brine (100 ml) again. The organic layerwas dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The obtained residue(2.52 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:petroleum ether/ethyl acetate, 8/2 to 5/5). The product fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated yielding 2.39 g of intermediate(99).

c) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate, 8/2, ninhydrine/PMA). Intermediate (99) (0.300 g,0.982 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml) and the mixture was cooled to 0°C. Pyrrole (0.102 ml, 1.47 mmol) and sodium hydride, 60% dispersion inmineral oil (0.0589 g, 1.47 mmol) were added and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) and washed with water (2×50 ml), thenwith brine (3×50 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated. The obtained residue (0.290 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (eluent: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate,98/2 to 95/5, then 90/10). The product fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated, yielding 0.175 g of intermediate (100).

d) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate, 6/4, PMA). 4M HCl in dioxane (1.58 ml, 6.33 mmol)was added to a solution of intermediate (100) (0.175 g, 0.633 mmol) indioxane (3 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 2 hoursand concentrated to dryness, yielding 0.135 g of intermediate (101).

The following compounds were made using the same procedure as ExampleA.23c/A.23d whereby pyrrole was replaced by tetrazole, pyrazole,1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole or phenol respectively.

Example A.24

a) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate, 8/2, ninhydrine/PMA). Sodium methoxide 25 wt %solution in methanol (0.449 ml, 1.96 mmol) was added to a solution ofintermediate (99) (0.300 g, 0.982 mmol) in MeOH (4 ml). The mixture wasstirred under reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was concentratedto dryness. The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) andwashed with water (50 ml), then with brine (50 ml). The organic layerwas dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The obtained residue waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate, 100/0 to 97/3, then 1/1). The product fractionswere collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.182 g ofintermediate (109).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, eluent: petroleumether/ethyl acetate, 8/2, ninhydrine/PMA). 4M HCl in dioxane (1.88 ml,7.54 mmol) was added to a solution of intermediate (109) (0.182 g, 0.754mmol) in dioxane (4 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 18 hours, then at 50° C. for 2 hours. The reactionmixture was concentrated to dryness, yielding 0.139 g of intermediate(110).

Some intermediate compounds used in the preparation of the finalcompounds are commercially available such as.

B. Synthesis of the Final Compounds Example B.1

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (3) (9.4 g, 36.9 mmol), intermediate (9) (8.2g, 44.3 mmol), EDCI (8.5 g, 44.3 mmol), hydroxybenzotriazole (6.0 g,44.3 mmol) and triethylamine (15.4 ml, 0.111 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (160 ml)and THF (160 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Water (175ml) was added, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water/EtOH(50 ml). The solid was suspended in EtOH (50 ml) and stirred for 15minutes. The resulting suspension was filtered off and dried undervacuum at 70° C. to give 7.3 g of compound (14) as a white powder(mp=266° C.), ([α]_(D) ²⁰=−105.1° (589 nm, c 0.1275 w/v %, CH₂Cl₂, 20°C.).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.64 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (dd,J=1.7, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=17.3 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H),7.31-7.42 (m, 3H), 7.23-7.28 (m, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=15.0 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (d,J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.38-4.04 (m, 5H), 3.09-3.21 (m, 1H), 2.85-3.04 (m, 3H),2.55-2.67 (m, 3H).

Example B.2

Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (14) (5.8 g, 30.32 mmol), intermediate (3)(7.72 g, 30.32 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (4.92 g, 36.38 mmol), EDCI(6.97 g, 36.38 mmol) and triethylamine (14.71 mL, 106.12 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂(100 ml) and THF (100 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Themixture was poured out into water. The precipitate was filtered off andwashed twice with EtOH and dried under vacuum at 65° C. This precipitatewas crystallized from EtOH, filtered off and dried under vacuum at 62°C. to give 9.02 g of compound (44) as a white powder, (mp=264° C.)([α]_(D) ²⁰=+170.12° (589 nm, c 0.2075 w/v %, CH₂Cl₂, 20° C.)).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.63 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 1H), 8.32 (d,J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=10.6 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J=2.8, 4.8 Hz, 1H),7.41 (br. s., 1H), 7.36 (dd, J=4.8, 9.3 Hz, 2H), 6.98 (dd, J=9.1, 15.7Hz, 1H), 6.01 (br. s., 1H), 3.35-4.03 (m, 5H), 2.94-3.21 (m, 2H), 2.90(q, J=7.9 Hz, 3H), 2.52-2.62 (m, 2H).

Example B.3

Preparation of

A solution of intermediate (19) (21.1 g, 81.4 mmol), intermediate (3)(17.3 g, 67.8 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (11.0 g, 81.4 mmol), EDCI(15.6 g, 81.4 mmol) and triethylamine (47 ml, 0.339 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (350ml) and THF (350 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Waterwas added to the mixture. The precipitate was filtered off, washed withwater/EtOH then EtOH and dried at 70° C. under vacuum to give 12.7 g ofcompound (40) as a white powder (mp=271° C.) ([α]_(D) ²⁰=+116.08° (589nm, c 0.2145 w/v %, CH₂Cl₂, 20° C.)).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.63 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (d,J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 8.33 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=13.6 Hz, 1H),7.41-7.46 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 2H), 7.38 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (dd, J=11.6,15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.37-4.04 (m, 5H), 2.86-3.22 (m,5H), 2.58-2.70 (m, 2H).

Compound (41) was prepared analogously by reacting intermediate (20)with intermediate (3) following the same procedure.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.63 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (d,J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 8.33 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=13.6 Hz, 1H),7.41-7.46 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 2H), 7.38 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (dd, J=11.6,15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.37-4.04 (m, 5H), 2.86-3.22 (m,5H), 2.58-2.70 (m, 2H).

([α]_(D) ²⁰=−115.85° (589 nm, c 0.183 w/v %, CH₂Cl₂, 20° C.)).

Example B.4

a) preparation of

The reaction was performed under Ar-atmosphere and monitored by TLC(silica gel, CH₂Cl₂/methanol/triethylamine 95/5/0.1, UV/PMA).1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (.HCl) (1.70 g, 8.87 mmol)was added to a mixture of intermediate (3) (2.02 g, 7.39 mmol), crudecis hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-5(1H)one (1.85 g, maximal 8.89 mmol),1-hydroxybenzotriazole monohydrate (1.36 g, 8.87 mmol) andN-ethyldiisopropylamine (6.32 ml, 36.9 mmol) in DMF (75 ml). The mixturewas stirred at room temperature overnight for 18 hours. The mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with dichloromethane (150ml) and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (100 ml). The aqueous layerwas extracted back with dichloromethane (2×150 ml). The combined organiclayers were washed with brine (400 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure to dryness. The obtained residue waspurified by flash column chromatography over silica gel(eluent:dichloromethane/methanol 100/0 to 94/6). The product fractionswere collected and the solvent was evaporated. The basic aqueous layerswere extracted again with dichloromethane (3×300 ml). The combinedorganic layers were washed with brine (900 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filteredand concentrated under reduced pressure to dryness. The obtained residuewas purified by flash column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:dichloromethane/methanol 100/0 to 94/6). The product fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. The desired residues werecombined, yielding 1.58 g of intermediate (111).

b) Preparation of

The reaction was performed in anhydrous conditions under argonatmosphere and monitored by TLC (silica gel, dichloromethane/methanol95/5, UV/PMA). Lanthanum trichloride lithium chloride complex 0.6M THF(2.38 ml, 1.43 mmol) was added to a suspension of intermediate (111)(0.464 g, 1.43 mmol) in THF (18 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1 hour, then cooled to 0° C. Phenylmagnesium bromidesolution 1.0 M in THF (3.57 ml, 3.57 mmol) was added dropwise. Thereaction mixture was stirred and allowed to warm back to roomtemperature for 3 days. Additional phenylmagnesium bromide solution 1.0M in THF (2.85 ml, 2.85 mmol, 2 equivalents) was added dropwise. Themixture was stirred at room temperature additional 2 days. The mixturewas quenched by addition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (30 ml)and extracted with EtOAc (3×30 ml). The combined organic layers weredried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure todryness. The obtained residue (0.801 g) was purified by flash columnchromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 100/0 to 95/5). Thesolvent of the collected product fractions was evaporated. The residuewas triturated with diethyl ether (2×3 ml), and then dried under vacuum,yielding 0.077 g of compound (71).

Example B.5

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (23) (0.032 g, 0.097 mmol), intermediate (8)(0.032 g, 0.145 mmol), EDCI (0.022 g, 0.0116 mmol), HOBT (0.016 g, 0.116mmol) and triethylamine (0.049 ml, 0.349 mmol) in DCM (1 ml) and THF (1ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Water was added, themixture was extracted with DCM, the organic layer was separated, washedwith water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated till dryness. The residue wascrystallized from EtOH, the solid was filtered off, washed with EtOH,and dried (vacuum 70° C.), yielding 0.015 g of compound (73).

Table F-1 lists the compounds that were prepared according to one of theabove Examples.

TABLE F-1

C. Compound Identification C1. LCMS

For LCMS-characterization of the compounds of the present invention, thefollowing methods were used.

General Procedure A

The LC measurement was performed using a UPLC (Ultra Performance LiquidChromatography) Acquity (Waters) system comprising a binary pump withdegasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD) and a column asspecified in the respective methods below, the column is hold at atemperature of 40° C. Flow from the column was brought to a MS detector.The MS detector was configured with an electrospray ionization source.The capillary needle voltage was 3 kV and the source temperature wasmaintained at 130° C. on the Quattro (triple quadrupole massspectrometer from Waters). Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Dataacquisition was performed with a Waters-Micromass MassLynx-Openlynx datasystem.

General Procedure B

The HPLC measurement was performed using an Alliance HT 2795 (Waters)system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, adiode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respectivemethods below, the column is hold at a temperature of 30° C. Flow fromthe column was split to a MS spectrometer. The MS detector wasconfigured with an electrospray ionization source. The capillary needlevoltage was 3 kV and the source temperature was maintained at 100° C. onthe LCT (Time of Flight Zspray™ mass spectrometer from Waters. Nitrogenwas used as the nebulizer gas. Data acquisition was performed with aWaters-Micromass MassLynx-Openlynx data system.

Method 1

In addition to the general procedure A: reversed phase UPLC was carriedout on a Waters Acquity BEH (bridged ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid) C18column (1.7 μm, 2.1×100 mm) with a flow rate of 0.35 ml/min. Two mobilephases (mobile phase A: 95% 7 mM ammonium acetate/5% acetonitrile;mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradientcondition from 90% A and 10% B (hold for 0.5 minutes) to 8% A and 92% Bin 3.5 minutes, hold for 2 min and back to the initial conditions in 0.5min, hold for 1.5 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μl was used. Conevoltage was 20 V for positive and negative ionization mode. Mass spectrawere acquired by scanning from 100 to 1000 in 0.2 seconds using aninterscan delay of 0.1 seconds.

Method 2

In addition to the general procedure A: reversed phase UPLC was carriedout on a Waters Acquity BEH (bridged ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid) C18column (1.7 μm, 2.1×100 mm) with a flow rate of 0.343 ml/min. Two mobilephases (mobile phase A: 95% 7 mM ammonium acetate/5% acetonitrile;mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradientcondition from 84.2% A and 15.8% B (hold for 0.49 minutes) to 10.5% Aand 89.5% B in 2.18 minutes, hold for 1.94 min and back to the initialconditions in 0.73 min, hold for 0.73 minutes. An injection volume of 2μl was used. Cone voltage was 20V for positive and negative ionizationmode. Mass spectra were acquired by scanning from 100 to 1000 in 0.2seconds using an interscan delay of 0.1 seconds.

Method 3

In addition to the general procedure B: reversed phase HPLC was carriedout on a Waters X-bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 4.6×100 mm) with a flowrate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 100% 7 mMammonium acetate; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed torun a gradient condition from 80% A and 20% B (hold for 0.5 minute) to90% B in 4.5 minutes, 90% B for 4 minutes and reequilibrated withinitial conditions for 3 minutes. An injection volume of 5 μl was used.Cone voltage was 20 V for positive and negative ionization mode. Massspectra were acquired by scanning from 100 to 1000 in 0.4 seconds usingan interscan delay of 0.3 seconds.

Method 4

In addition to the general procedure B: reversed phase HPLC was carriedout on a Waters Atlantis C18 column (5 μm, 3.9×100 mm) with a flow rateof 0.8 ml/min. Three mobile phases (mobile phase A: 100% 7 mM ammoniumacetate; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile; mobile phase C, 0.2% formicacid+99.8% ultra-pure water) were employed to run a gradient conditionfrom 50% A and 50% C (hold for 1.5 minute) to 10% A, 80% B and 10% C in4.5 minutes, hold for 4 minutes and reequilibrated with initialconditions for 3 minutes. An injection volume of 5 μl was used. Conevoltage was 20 V for positive and negative ionization mode. Mass spectrawere acquired by scanning from 100 to 1000 in 0.4 seconds using aninterscan delay of 0.3 seconds.

Method 5

The HPLC measurement was performed using an HPLC 1100/1200 (Agilent)system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, adiode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respectivemethods below, the column is hold at room temperature. The MS detector(MS-Agilent simple quadripole) was configured with an electrospray-APCIionization source. Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Dataacquisition was performed with a Chemstation data system.

Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Nucleosil C18 column (3 μm,3×150 mm) with a flow rate of 0.42 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobilephase A: water/TFA (0.1%); mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) wereemployed to run a gradient condition from 98% A for 3 minutes, to 100% Bin 12 minutes, 100% B for 5 minutes, then back to 98% A in 2 minutes,and reequilibrated with 98% A for 6 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μlwas used. The capillary voltage was 2 kV, the corona discharge was heldat 1 μA and the source temperature was maintained at 250° C. A variablevoltage was used for the fragmentor. Mass spectra were acquired inelectrospray ionization and APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100to 1100 amu.

TABLE C.1 LC/MS data Co. No. Rt MH⁺ Method 2 5.12 419 3 3 2.53 392 2 62.84 412 1 7 2.43 411 2 9 2.74 420 2 10 2.53 392 2 11 2.74 400 2 12 1.96387 2 13 3.23 392 1 14 2.63 386 2 15 2.92 426 2 17 2.64 403 2 18 2.65423 2 19 2.44 376 2 21 2.66 404 2 22 2.4 376 2 23 2.22 405 2 26 1.5 3532 30 1.78 351 2 31 8.79 342 5 32 2.07 393 2 33 2.12 453 2 34 2.1 348 235 2.72 423 2 36 2.73 423 2 37 11.2 379 5 38 11.4 379 5 39 12.26 379 540 1.99 387 2 41 1.98 387 2 42 2.12 310 2 43 2.76 400 2 44 2.63 392 2 452.58 392 2 46 2.16 382 2 47 2.24 421 2 48 5.4 353 4 49 1.85 408 2 501.78 388 2 51 1.84 376 2 52 13.46 324 5 53 14.13 338 5 54 14.38 404 5 572.59 390 2 58 11.35 380 5 59 15.16 426 5 60 14.79 406 5 61 2.35 417 2 6213.58 434 5 63 15.03 406 5 64 1.6 381 2 67 14.01 417 5 68 15.62 426 5 6915.09 406 5 71 13.1 404 5 72 14.51 422 5 73 2.78 384 2

C2. Melting Points

For a number of compounds, melting points were obtained with a Koflerhot bench, consisting of a heated plate with linear temperaturegradient, a sliding pointer and a temperature scale in degrees Celsius.

For a number of compounds, melting points were determined usingdifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Melting points were measuredwith a temperature gradient of 10° C./minute starting at 25° C. Maximumtemperature was 350° C.

For a number of compounds, melting points were obtained with a Büchimelting point apparatus B-560. The heating medium was a metal block. Themelting of the sample was visually observed by a magnifying lense and abig light contrast. Melting points were measured with a temperaturegradient of either 3 or 10° C./minute. Maximum temperature was 300° C.

The remaining melting points were determined using open capillary tubes.

TABLE C.2 melting point data Co. No. Melting Moint Method 1 274.95° C.  DSC 2 218° C. Kofler 3 259.80° C.   DSC 4 122° C. Kofler 5 128.6-129.8 —6 270.49° C.   DSC 8 97-98° C.  — 9 178° C. Kofler 10 244° C. Kofler 11178° C. Kofler 13 130° C. Kofler 14 269.15° C.   DSC 15 246° C. Kofler16 247.3-248.5° C.     — 17 128° C. Kofler 18 123° C. Kofler 19 135° C.Kofler 21 218° C. Kofler 22 198° C. Kofler 24 238.1-249.2° C.     Büchi25 249.0-259.1° C.     Büchi 26 227° C. Kofler 30 243.45° C.   DSC 32262° C. Kofler 33 267.48° C.   DSC 34 >250° C.  Kofler 35 >260° C. Kofler 36 150° C. Kofler 40 268.40° C.   DSC 41 273.08° C.   DSC 42 232°C. Kofler 43 227° C. Kofler 44 262.20° C.   DSC 45 258.89° C.   DSC 46224.32° C.   DSC 47 273.86° C.   DSC 48 >260° C.  Kofler 52 >260° C. Kofler 61 252° C. Kofler 64 >265° C.  Kofler

D. Pharmacological Examples D.1 FabI Enzyme Inhibition: Staphylococcusaureus FabI Enzyme Inhibition Assay

FabI enzyme inhibition assays were carried out in half-area, 384-wellmicrotitre plates. Compounds were evaluated in 40-μl assay mixturescontaining 100 mM NaADA, pH 6.5 (ADA=N-[2-acetamido]-2iminodiaceticacid), 250 μM crotonoyl-CoA, 625 μM NADH and 50 μg/ml S. aureus ATCC29213 FabI. Inhibitors were typically varied over the range of 50 to0.39 μM. The reaction mixtures were incubated for 30 minutes at roomtemperature and the reaction was stopped by adding 200 mM Tris buffer(pH 9.0) to create a pH-shift. The consumption of NADH was monitored bymeasuring the change in absorbance at 340. By comparing sample readingsto those of negative (absence of compound) and positive (absence ofenzyme) controls, the percent inhibition of enzymatic activity of thecompounds was determined. A best-fit curve is fitted by a minimum ofsquares method. From this an IC₅₀-value (expressed in μg/ml), resultingin 50% inhibition of enzymatic activity, was obtained.

TABLE D.1 S. aureus FabI IC₅₀ values Co. No. FabI IC₅₀ μg/mL 1 0.32 20.78 3 0.29 4 0.70 5 ~0.6 6 3.73 8 0.50 9 0.75 10 0.53 11 0.48 12 0.4413 0.39 14 0.40 15 0.48 17 0.38 18 0.44 19 ~0.62 20 1.07 21 0.65 22 0.5823 0.41 24 0.58 25 0.51 26 0.41 27 0.6 29 1.04 30 2.66 31 1.42 32 0.4633 3.06 34 1.67 35 1.25 36 0.93 37 3.37 38 2.08 39 0.56 40 0.39 41 0.4442 0.83 43 0.60 44 0.46 45 0.45 46 0.54 47 0.43 48 2.93 49 0.44 51 0.5452 0.50 53 0.36 54 1.84 57 0.62 59 0.76 60 0.59 61 0.54 62 0.44 63 0.6364 1.62 67 0.63 68 0.99 71 2.55 72 0.43 73 0.80

D.2 In Vitro Method for Testing Compounds for Antibacterial ActivityAgainst Various Bacterial Strains

Preparation of Bacterial Suspensions for Susceptibility Testing

The following bacteria were used: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213,methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 700788 andEscherichia coli ATCC 35218. The bacteria used in this study were grownovernight in flasks containing 100 ml Mueller-Hinton broth (Difco cat.nr. 0757-17) in sterile de-ionized water, with shaking, at 37° C. Stockswere store at −70° C. until use.

Bacteria were incubated on a tryptic soy agar plate containing 5% sheepblood (Becton Dickinson cat. nr. 254053) for 18-24 hours at 35° C. inaerobic conditions (first passage). For the second passage, freshMueller-Hinton broth is inoculated with 5-10 colonies and grownovernight at 35° C. until turbidity (reaching log-phase) in aerobicconditions is reached. The bacterial suspension is then adjusted to 0.5McFarland density and further diluted 1:100 in Mueller Hinton brothmedium. This is used as inoculum.

The results (for STA ATCC 29213) are depicted in the table D2 below.

Antibacterial Susceptibility Testing: IC₉₀ Determination

MIC assays were performed by the broth microdilution method in a 96-wellformat (flat-bottom microtitre plates) with a final volume of 0.1 mlMueller Hinton broth containing two-fold serial dilutions of compoundsand inoculated with 5×10⁵ CFU/ml of bacteria (standard inoculum sizeaccording to CLSI guidelines). Inhibitors are typically varied over therange of 63 to 0.49 μM. The final DMSO concentration in the assay was1.25% (maximum tolerable DMSO concentration=6%). In the assays where theeffect of human serum on the activity of the compounds against S. aureuswas tested, human serum was added at a final concentration of 10%. Theplates were incubated at 35° C. for 16-20 hours. At the end ofincubation the bacterial growth was quantified fluorometrically. Forthis, resazurin was added to all wells and the plates were re-incubated.The incubation time is dependent on the type of bacteria. A change incolor from blue to pink indicated the growth of bacteria. Thefluorescence was read in computer-controlled fluorometer (FluoroskanAscent FL, Labsystems) at an excitation wavelength 540 nm and anemission wavelength of 590 nm. The % growth inhibition achieved by thecompounds was calculated according to standard methods. The IC₉₀(expressed in μg/ml) was defined as the 90% inhibitory concentration forbacterial growth. A panel of reference compounds were simultaneouslytested for QC approval.

The results are depicted in the table D2 below (STA+10% HS).

Cytotoxicity Assays

Cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated using the MTT assay. HumanHelaM cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to serial dilutions ofthe tested compounds (final volume of 0.2 ml) and incubated for 72 hoursat 37° C. and 5% CO₂. Inhibitors are typically varied over the range of25 to 0.8 μM. The final DMSO concentration in the assay is 0.5%. MTT(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, atetrazole) was added and reduced to purple formazan only in livingcells. Solubilization of the formazan crystals was achieved by adding100 μl 2-propanol. Cell viability was determined by measuring theabsorbance of the reduced formazan, giving a purple color, at 540 nm and690 nm. The absorbance measured at 690 nm was automatically subtractedfrom the absorbance at 540 nm, to eliminate the effects of non-specificabsorption. The percent cytotoxicity achieved by the compounds wascalculated according to standard methods. Cytotoxicity is reported asCC₅₀, the concentration that causes a 50% reduction in cell viability.

The results are depicted in the table D2 below (TOX HELAM).

TABLE D2 data for representative examples STA STA + 10% HS TOX HELAMCpd. (361.159) (361.169) (222.125) No. IC90 μg/mL IC90 μg/mL CC50 μg/mL1 0.09 0.17 >3.8547 2 1.02 1.09 >19.4696 3 0.03 0.06 >3.25636 5 0.641.14 7.92 8 1.15 1.52 >10.5122 9 0.33 0.69 4.77 10 0.08 0.13 >3.915 110.37 1.76 6.19 12 0.33 0.53 >9.70744 13 0.31 0.43 >9.68257 14 0.190.19 >9.68257 15 0.74 0.72 >9.78279 17 0.37 0.38 >10.1103 18 0.210.37 >10.6233 19 0.18 0.12 >9.43038 21 0.13 0.29 >4.0346 22 0.230.25 >9.43038 23 0.67 0.79 >10.3108 24 4.05 2.44 >3.9549 26 1.11 1.11>3.8646

Example E E.1 Thermodynamic Solubility/Solubility in Aqueous Solution

The pH solubility profiling was carried out at ambient temperature for aperiod of 4 days. A saturation solubility study was carried out in orderto determine maximum solubility in a particular buffer solution. Thecompound was added to respective buffer solution until saturation pointis reached. This was followed by shaking the flask for 4 days at ambienttemperature. After 4 days, the solutions were filtered and injected onUPLC and the concentration was determined using a generic HPLC method.

Results

Co. No. Co. No. Co. No. Co. No. 14 1 41 2 Buffer pH 2 <0.01 <0.002 1.18<0.01 10% HP-β-CD buffer pH 2 0.076 NT NT NT 20% HP-β-CD buffer pH 20.20 NT NT NT Buffer pH 4 <0.01 <0.002 <0.01 <0.01 10% HP-β-CD buffer pH4 0.069 0.177 1.1 0.11 20% HP-β-CD buffer pH 4 0.18 0.308 >1.15 0.28Buffer pH 7.4 <0.01 <0.002 0.13 <0.01 10% HP-β-CD buffer pH 7.4 0.0890.100 0.49 0.14 20% HP-β-CD buffer pH 7.4 0.20 0.417 0.56 0.33 NT = nottested

E.2 Antimicrobial Spectrum of Activity

Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined in accordancewith the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methodologyagainst aerobic bacteria (CLSI M07-A8) (see Clinical and LaboratoryStandards Institute. 2009. Methods for dilution antimicrobialsusceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically. CLSI documentM07-A8, Vol. 29, No. 2.) by the broth microdilution method withcation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth (CA-MHB) medium for the majority oforganisms, except for Haemophilus influenza, where Haemophilis testmedium (HTM) broth was used. Descriptions of the individual organismscan be found in the table. Where possible, ATCC standard strains weretested.

The inoculum density for the susceptibility testing was standardized togive a final inoculum of approximately 5×10⁵ CFU/mL. The broth MIC wasdetermined as the lowest concentration of drug that prevented visiblegrowth after 16-24 hours (species dependent) of incubation at 35° C.-37°C.

TABLE Description of individual organisms tested MIC test OrganismCharacteristics medium Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213; referencestrain MHB MSSA Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300; reference strain MHBMRSA Staphylococcus aureus NRS119; LZD-R; SCCmec IV; MHB origin: USStaphylococcus aureus NRS120; LZD-R; SCCmec IV; MHB origin: USStaphylococcus aureus NRS121; LZD-R; SCCmec IV; MHB origin: USEscherichia coli ATCC 25922; reference strain MHB Escherichia coli Tol Cmutant MHB Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247; reference strain HTM brothMoraxella catarrhalis ATCC 8176; b-lactamase nega- MHB tive

Stock solutions of the compounds were prepared in DMSO at concentrationsof 1 mg/mL. Linezolid was prepared in DMSO at a concentration of 2mg/mL. Stock solutions of all compounds were diluted into CA-MHB to givea range of two-fold dilutions, depending upon the sensitivity of theorganism being tested.

Results (where Available)

Compound Nos. and MIC₉₀ (μg/ml) Organism 14 1 44 2 41 10 22 12 S. aureus0.03 0.016 0.03 0.25 0.03 0.015 0.06 0.125 ATCC 29213 S. aureus 0.030.016 0.03 0.5 0.03 0.03 0.125 0.125 ATCC 43300 S. aureus 0.03 0.03 0.030.06 NRS119 S. aureus 0.03 0.016 0.03 0.06 NRS120 S. aureus 0.03 0.0160.06 0.06 NRS121 E. coli 0.25 ≦0.03 >8 0.25 1 0.125 1 0.25 tolC mutantE. coli 4 >32 >8 >8 8 >8 >8 >8 ATCC 25922 H. influenza 0.25 >8 >8 0.5 >84 1 ATCC 49247 M. catarrhalis 0.015 0.25 0.12 ATCC 8176

E.3 In Vivo Pharmacokinetic and Oral Bioavailability

The in vivo pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of the compound ofthe examples was/is investigated in male Swiss mice (fed) followingsingle intravenous (i.v.) bolus and oral (p.o.) administration. For thei.v. and p.o. solution formulations, the compound was/is dissolved in a20% HP-β-CD solution. The pH of the formulations was/is around pH 4. Alli.v. formulations were isotonic.

Results Co. No. Co. No. Co. No. Co. No. Co. No. 14 1 10 44 12 i.v. Dose2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 (mg/kg) n 3 3 3 3 3 C₀ (ng/mL) 2929 2921 4154 45242333 Plasma 0.33 0.35 0.64 0.49 2.2 clearance Cl (L/h/kg) Vd_(z) (L/kg)1.3 1.5 1.2 0.9 3.7 AUC_(0-inf) 7464 7074 3992 5037 1124 (ng · h/mL)Half life 2.7 2.9 1.3 1.3 1.1 (t_(1/2)) (h) p.o. Dose 10 5 10 10 10(mg/kg) n 3 3 3 3 3 C_(max) 2950 1720 3537 2670 275 (ng/mL) T_(max) 2.02.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (h) AUC_(0-inf) 21394 12158 12376 14527 914 (ng · h/mL)AUC_(0-last) Half life 3.2 3.1 2.2 2.8 n.d. (t_(1/2)) (h) Oral bio- 7286 81 59 21 availability (%)

E.4 In Vivo Efficacy

The concept of studying the in vivo effect of an antibacterial compoundby treating intraperitoneally infected mice was introduced in 1911 foroptochin against pneumococci (Morgenroth and Levy, 1911). The popularityof the model comes from the ease of its use with short-durationexperiments, reproducible infections and simple end-points.

Method

Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC 29213 was usedto infect female Swiss albino mice. A Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) brothbacterial culture was inoculated the day before infection, incubated at37° C. overnight and diluted in fresh BHI broth to the desiredconcentration. I.p. injection of ˜5×10⁸-5×10⁹ colony forming units (CFU)was performed in either of the lateral lower quadrants of the abdomen.After inoculation, mice were kept in their cages under daily observationfor development of signs of infection or death. For the treatment ofmice, both the p.o. and i.v. routes were used and each mouse was treatedindividually by gavage or by i.v. injection. Both solutions (p.o. andi.v.) and suspensions (p.o.) were tested in this model. The parameterused for monitoring the course of infection and the effect of treatmentwas death or survival of the animals over 3 days post-infection. Asdeath could also be due to toxic side effects, a non-infected controlgroup of 3 mice, treated with the highest dose of the compound (in thestudies where suspensions were used) tested, was included.

Results

In vivo antibacterial activity in peritonitis model of S. aureusinfection (ATCC 29213) after oral and i.v. dosing using solutions

Infection Inoculum Treatment Treatment % Compound Route (log10)Formulation Route Dose (mpk) Survival 44 IP 8.9 Sol 20% CD + 1HCl PO, QD 1; 5 57; 100 14 IP 8.7 20% CD + 2H2T IV, QD 2.5; 5 75; 100

Control mice exhibited 80% and 100% mortality, in each respective test.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I)

wherein A represents —C≡C— or

the

bond represents a single bond or a double bond, X represents carbon ornitrogen, and when X represents nitrogen then the

bond represents a single bond; Z₁ represents CH or N; R¹ is hydrogen,C₁₋₄alkyl or halo; R² is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or halo; R³ is hydrogen,C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxy or halo; R⁴ is hydrogen; halo; C₁₋₆alkyl;C₂₋₆alkenyl; C₂₋₆alkynyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl;aminocarbonyl; mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)-aminocarbonyl; aryl; aryloxy;arylcarbonyl; arylsulfonyl; heteroaryl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted withcyano; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl or aryloxy; or C₁₋₆alkylsubstituted with heteroaryl; aryl is phenyl; phenyl substituted withone, two or three substituents each individually selected from halo,hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl,polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyloxy, cyano, nitro, and amino; heteroaryl is furanyl,thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl,triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl,pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl,benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indolyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, or quinolinyl, wherein each heteroaryl may besubstituted with one or two substituents each independently selectedfrom halo, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, or phenyl;or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
 2. Acompound as claimed in claim 1 wherein: Z₁ represents CH; R¹ is hydrogenor C₁₋₄alkyl; and R² is hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl.
 3. A compound as claimedin claim 1 wherein A represents —CC— or

the

bond represents a single bond or a double bond, X represents carbon ornitrogen, and when X represents nitrogen then the

bond represents a single bond; R¹ is hydrogen; R² is hydrogen; R³ ishydrogen, hydroxy or halo; R⁴ is hydrogen; halo; C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl; mono- ordi(C₁₋₄alkyl)-aminocarbonyl; aryl; aryloxy; arylsulfonyl; heteroaryl;C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with cyano; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl oraryloxy; or C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with heteroaryl; aryl is phenyl;phenyl substituted with one substituent selected from halo, C₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkyloxy, and cyano; heteroaryl is furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl,isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl,or pyrimidinyl, wherein each heteroaryl may be substituted with onesubstituent selected from halo, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxy, orC₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition saltthereof.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydrogen andR² is hydrogen.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R³represents hydrogen.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁴ isaryl.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁴ is heteroaryl.
 8. Acompound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkyl substituted witharyl.
 9. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein X represents nitrogenand the

bond represents a single bond.
 10. A compound as claimed in claim 1wherein A represents


11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier and a therapeutically active amount of a compound asclaimed in claim
 1. 12. A process for preparing a compound of formula(I), as claimed in claim 1, comprising (i) reacting an intermediate offormula (II) with an intermediate of formula (III),

or (ii) for compounds of formula (I) in which A represents —C(R²)═C(R),reacting an intermediate of formula (V) with an intermediate of formula(VI),

wherein X_(a1) represents a suitable leaving group and the othersubstituents are as defined in claim 1.